Hamid Karzai

Afghan President orders presidential poll by April

Afghan President orders presidential poll by April Kabul - Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered in a decree on Saturday that country's presidential poll, which was slated for August, to put forward to April.

Afghan Election commission is to hold presidential, parliamentary, provincial council district council and municipality elections in accordance with the constitution, Karzai said in a decree.

Constitutionally, the presidential election should be held at least 30 days before the end of the presidential term on May 22.

Only 25 percent Kandahar residents feel safe with Karzai Government

Hamid KarzaiKandahar, Feb. 19 : Only 25 percent of residents of Kandahar feel secure under the Hamid Karzai Government, as against last year's 55 percent, a top Canadian commander has claimed.

"People''s sense of security has absolutely plummeted," Brigadier-General Denis Thompson said while speaking at the end of his nine-month duty-tour.

Thomson cited regular polls conducted by the military in Kandahar since March 2007, but the results were previously kept secret, The Guardian reported.

Afghan president's Pakistan visit postponed

Afghan president's Pakistan visit postponed Islamabad  - Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to Islamabad scheduled for Thursday was postponed because of bad weather in Kabul, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

"A new date for the visit will be announced soon," ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said.

Karzai had been scheduled to hold talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during his visit.

Karzai to visit Islamabad on Thursday

Hamid KarzaiIslamabad, Feb. 18 : Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai will visit Islamabad for top-level talks on Thursday, the Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday.

"I can confirm that Mr. Karzai is coming to Pakistan on a short visit tomorrow (Thursday). Mr. Karzai will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani," foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit was quoted by The Dawn, as saying.

Karzai is expected to talk about strengthening diplomatic ties with Islamabad.

Karzai admits rift with US, NATO over Afghan civilian casualties

Afghan President Hamid KarzaiKabul - In a clear sign of discord between Afghan government and its main backer, President Hamid Karzai said Wednesday that he has come under pressure from Washington for his criticism over civilian casualties caused by the US and NATO military troops.

Hamid Karzai urges Pakistan to cooperate in rooting out terrorism

Hamid Karzai urges Pakistan to cooperate in rooting out terrorismHelmand (Kabul), Jan 23: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has urged Pakistan to cooperate in removing the menace of terrorism from the region.

Speaking in Helmand airbase in Southwest Afghanistan on Thursday, Karzai said there was need for India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to work together to root out terrorism from the region.

He expressed the hope that Pakistan would extend its full cooperation in removing the menace from its soil.

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